Grondar

I have 3 pets. A dog and two cats.

My family took in the dog after my grandparents died, and the two cats were strays we took in from outside.

I find myself connecting least with my dog, and I think it may be due to the fact that I didn't "grow up" with it. IE, it lived with my grandparents for about 5-7 years, and then moved in with us.

My cats, on the other hand, have been with me (or I with them), since they were young stray kittens. I therefore seem to connect with them more, as they have been there all along.

Unfortunately, cats are less loyal (and more independent) than dogs, so it all seems to balance out. In that, I have grown up with the cats, but they are an independant creature by nature. My dog joined the family at an older age, so we didn't connect, but due to dogs being more loyal/friendly (IMO) it probably has the same connection that I do with my cats.

Don't get me wrong, I like all animals very much, I just have noticed that I seem to connect less with my dog than my cats, as it hasn't been a part of my life as long.

If you can make sense of what I just typed, I commend you. It is kind of hard to explain what I mean, but the point of this thread is really to ask if any of you "connect" with your pets in that they are more than just an animal that you feed and let out throughout the day?